Tennessee Titans fire head coach Mike Munchak

After three seasons as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Mike Munchak and the Titans parted ways Saturday. Munchak was unable to lead Tennessee to a playoff berth and finished with a 22-26 record as coach.

Munchak has been with the franchise since the days of the Houston Oilers. The Oilers drafted Munchak in the 1982 NFL Draft with the eighth overall pick. After 32 years with the organization as a player and coach, the Titans and Munchak could not agree on the direction in which the team was headed.

It was reported that Munchak did not want to part ways with offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains after he turned Tennessee into a pass happy, run second offense. Munchak also refused to promote defensive assistant Greg Williams to defensive coordinator.

Ken Whisenhunt is a top candidate to fill the head coaching vacancy in Tennessee.

Though the search has just begun, two leading candidates have emerged as favorites to replace Munchak.

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach and current San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell have reportedly become interested in the Tennessee coaching vacancy. While Whisenhunt is also a top candidate for the Detroit Lions job, Bevell stands as the true frontrunner.

Out in Tennessee, not all is bad for Munchak. One day after being let go by the Titans, Munchak is already in the consideration for the heading coaching position at his Alma mater, Penn. State.